Life Comes at You Fast...

Edited to add: I am going south, but actually more southwest. I accepted a fellowship/assistantship offer from Texas A&M University on Tuesday, and I'll be moving to College Station in early August. From what I understand, A&M rivals OSU for its tradition and student pride, so I think I'll fit right in in Aggie-Land!

I'm going to be working on research in crisis communication for livestock producers, which sounds really weird but is actually something I'm interested in, as well as TAing a class Fall Semester and instructing on my own during Spring. James and I think y'all should visit the Lone Star State since we'll both be down there come this summer (hint, hint).

Like James, I feel like it's been a long time since I've updated y'all on my goings-on. And no, my use of that southern-fried rhetorical staple is not random.

I'm moving south.

Or, at least, it's very likely.

I applied to Ph.D. programs at the University of Florida and Texas A&M. I got a tentative notice of acceptance from Aggie-Land a few weeks ago - about the same time I decided I didn't really want to pursue a doctorate right now.

How quickly things change.

I finally heard from UF on Thursday: I was accepted into Florida's Agricultural Education & Communication doctoral program. The big news came yesterday, when I received an email from the chair of the AEC department informing me that Florida was offering me a four-year graduate fellowship.

!!!!!

Needless to say, chances are good that I'll be moving to Gainesville in August (unless A&M counters with a big-money offer. Ha), which means I expect lots of visits when it's cold and snowy in Ohio, Vermont, Maine, Illinois, and wherever else you crazy kids will be in the next year. I'm really excited and kind of freaking out. I'm not sure how I feel about moving to such hostile territory, and I sure as hell won't be buying any "God Loves Tim Tebow" merchandise, but I will probably be sporting some orange and blue. Chomp, chomp.

We have a big cow show coming up this week (and a fabulous heifer to take out - maybe I'll post some pics when she wins! *crosses fingers*), and I can't wait for Linking Weekend and our plaque dedication. So, yeah, lots of good stuff going on. :-)

Anyhoo, I must get out to the barn - yes, I'm at home on Spring Break. (Milking cows = lame.) I hope everyone is enjoying March Madness, and Sloopy better beat the living crap out of Rocky Top come next week!

Much 101 love,
Annie